Shelby American Admits To Faked Photo Of Shelby 1000 Mustang

When Shelby American announced its 1000-horsepower Shelby 1000 Mustang, it was clear that the car would be the very definition of excessive. Now it seems that the photos of the car in action were a bit excessive, too.

As USA Today found out, the images of the Shelby 1000 lifting it’s front end skyward are fakes, created entirely in Photoshop. The newspaper questioned the authenticity of the photos, since the Mustang carries a significant amount of weight over its front wheels and is shod with street tires, not sticky drag radials.

Need more proof? The rear tires in the image aren’t deforming, as would likely be the case during a launch. Even the front wheels appear to be under load, since it’s unlikely they’d still show that much negative camber in the air.

When confronted by the publication, a Shelby American spokesman initially said that the images were manipulated to correct shadows only. After checking with the agency that shot the footage and edited the images, Shelby admitted they were less than genuine.

Said Shelby American’s Scott Black, “That is a fake shot. That shot is not real. I am beyond embarrassed.”

Look for the limited-production Shelby 1000 to debut at next week's New York Auto Show. We’ll bring you live photos of the car as part of our comprehensive NYAS coverage, and we promise our images will be edited for lighting only.

All they should have said was that some office turkey's play image was somehow released. Not that they are "beyond embarrassed".

What they should be embarrassed with is the $200+ thou this thing will likely cost. Glad they are doing 'em, though.

Heepspo
Posted: 3/28/2012 11:09am PDT

I noticed it right when I saw it yesterday. Poorly done.

Sam
Posted: 3/28/2012 1:31pm PDT

Dumb move on them, but a real car person knows its not possible with that set up. Plus the Photoshop is bad.

Thomas
Posted: 3/28/2012 9:03pm PDT

on no not real OMG....pffftttt so the hell what like a mustang can change colors using peoples thoughts on the side of the road or a Nissan titan can push a sand buggy up a mountain of sand from a standing start or do flips off a half pipe on a ski slope gimme a break....adding to the nuance of a vehicle or anything your trying to sell by slightly embellishing it is nothing new to advertising

Bruno
Posted: 3/29/2012 3:17am PDT

If they wanted to fake a shot, they at least should pay some skilled artist to do so! I think i would do a better job doing it!

MJ
Posted: 6/3/2012 5:59am PDT

I knew the picture was a fake.. I just couldn't put it together.. You know when you see something that just doesn't look right? I just didn't put two and two together... Lol.. I feel embarrased for NOT noticing the obvious now...lol.. Even though this pic is a clear fake, I hope they do take the car to the track ad get them wheels at least a half inch off the ground. Do what you must to the car, but get them fronts OFF THE GROUND just to bring back a little respect that was lost because of the misleading picture.. JMHO... Mjc..

MJ
Posted: 6/3/2012 6:01am PDT

Does anyone think the 1000ponies can do it? I think if they have race slicks, really saging rear shocks and a hidden jet pack in the trunk, they may just do it..lol....

FutureWeird
Posted: 8/11/2014 7:18am PDT

It took an article for people to realize this? This photoshop is so poorly done.

Harley
Posted: 8/11/2014 7:45am PDT

The 1965 5S003 GT350 was used as the model for the initial factory ads in various magazines. 5S003 was photographed with steel wheels on the drivers side and prototype Cragar wheels on the passenger side to give the illusion there were more than just one GT350 built...So, looks like they like they've been fooling the public for 50 yrs.

D.a.
Posted: 8/11/2014 9:20am PDT

And it probably has a fake 1,000 HP rating too. Buy a Challenger Hellcat instead.